Three-star guard Parker Stewart committed to Ole Miss Friday

Stewart, a three-star prospect, committed to the Rebels Friday over Nebraska, Wyoming and Kansas State. He also held offers from Georgetown, Butler, LSU, Florida, Missouri and Wisconsin. But Stewart felt the Rebels were the best fit, chiefly due to his relationship with head coach Andy Kennedy, who plans to utilize the 6-foot-5, 185-pound Stewart in a number of ways.

Stewart is the first commitment for Ole Miss for the recruiting class of 2017.

“After seeing other schools and other schools just recruiting me and building relationships with me, I just thought Ole Miss was the best fit for me,” Stewart said. “How they play, the system and everyone at Ole Miss, I just felt that was where I wanted to be.

“I think they’ll have a super good season this season, and I think we can be good the whole time I’m there. Coach A.K. has always had success, and also one thing I look at is almost every single year he has either a point guard or shooting guard that’s All-SEC. That’s the position I play, so that’s huge, too.”

Ole Miss finished with 20 wins last season, but missed out on the postseason altogether for just the third time in 10 seasons under Kennedy. The Rebels are but one season removed from their second NCAA Tournament appearance in three seasons.

Stewart will join a Rebel backcourt feating a pair of veteran starters in Deandre Burnett and Cullen Neal, as well as a core of rising sophomores Donte Fitzpatrick-Dorsey and Terence Davis. Ole Miss signed point guard Breein Tyree in its 2016 class.

“(Kennedy) told me he wants to play me at the one and the two,” Stewart said. “He thinks I can create plays at the one and score at the one, and he thinks I can play the two because I can shoot. That will help me get a whole lot of shots — coming off screens, running the floor and hitting open shots.

“I’m known for shooting the ball. That’s probably my biggest strength, but I can also create plays for others and get everyone involved. And I’ve got pretty good size for my position.”

Stewart played for Team Penny of the Nike EYBL last summer. He averaged 7.1 points and 2.1 rebounds per game, while shooting 38 percent from the field and 34.7 precent from 3.

“I enjoyed the process,” Stewart said, “but I’m kind of happy it’s over so I can focus on my senior season and try to win a championship.”